Answer this question truthfully
### Question: Why is a toxicology screen performed?
### Response: This test is often done in emergency medical situations.
It can be used to evaluate possible accidental or intentional overdose or poisoning.
It may help determine the cause of acute drug toxicity, to monitor drug dependency, and to determine the presence of substances in the body for medical or legal purposes.
Additional reasons the test may be performed:
Alcoholism Alcohol withdrawal state Altered mental state Analgesic nephropathy (kidney poisoning) Complicated alcohol abstinence (Delirium tremens (patient information)|delirium tremens) Delirium Dementia Drug abuse monitoring Fetal alcohol syndrome Intentional overdose Seizures Stroke secondary to cocaine Suspected sexual assault Unconsciousness
If the test is used as a drug screen, it must be done during a certain time period after the drug has been taken or while forms of the drug can still be detected in the body. Examples are below:
Alcohol: 3 to 10 hours Amphetamines: 24 to 48 hours Barbiturates: up to 6 weeks Benzodiazepines: up to 6 weeks with high level use Cocaine: 2 to 4 days; up to 10 to 22 days with heavy use Codeine: 1 to 2 days Heroin: 1 to 2 days Hydromorphone: 1 to 2 days Methadone: 2 to 3 days Morphine: 1 to 2 days Phencyclidine (PCP): 1 to 8 days Propoxyphene: 6 to 48 hours Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC): 6 to 11 weeks with heavy use